Is the Mark Levinson 390S still a reference player

Lula - I have not compared the 512 with anything other than the two players that I've mentioned. I agree with you about the price differential. I am so satisfied with the sound, that I don't feel the need to try anything else.

Stop spinning a CD totally. A LINN Akurate DS will trash those players with 24/96 or 24/192 WAV/FLAC.

Audiofreak,,,LOL at your last post, couldn't disagree more. Remember it's all personal perception.

Tmsorosk

Have you compared? A current version Akurate DS will beat out most CD players under $20k. If you eliminate the disc, the laser pickup, the transport and all other issues that have to do with a typical CD player, you have gained a lot in terms of sound quality.

Forget those old CD spinners. The ML is dark & grainy compared to later DACs.

I'm with audiofreak. Forget CDs & move to HD playback. With the right DAC you can have zero jitter.